Supplement

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a lemon-scented herb in the mint family whose extracts are thought to raise levels of GABA, a calming chemical messenger in the brain. Most people look at it for stress, and trials found that anxiety symptoms improved, with moderate evidence behind that result. Those studies were fairly few, though, and some tested lemon balm blended with other calming herbs, so its own effect is harder to pin down.

Sources: PMID 34449930; PMID 15546807

Updated 30 September 2026
How we grade
16 studies cited

Best evidence: Grade A
Conditions studied: 16
Outcomes: 55
Graded outcomes: 1152

Evidence by condition

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

16 conditions

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	PMS Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	2 studies	493 people
Studies that measured pms symptoms Effect of Melissa officinalis capsule on the mental health of female adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: a clinical trial studyInt J Adolesc Med Health · PMID 29369810 Effect of Melissa officinalis Capsule on the Intensity of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in High School Girl Students.Nurs Midwifery Stud · PMID 26339667
	Depression Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	1 study	100 people
Studies that measured depression symptoms The effects of Melissa officinalis supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with chronic stable anginaClin Nutr ESPEN · PMID 29908682

Stress

Stress: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms Large Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Large effect	2 studies	435 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteersEur J Med Res · PMID 15546807 The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysisPhytother Res · PMID 34449930
	Depression Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	435 people
Studies that measured depression symptoms The effects of Melissa officinalis supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with chronic stable anginaClin Nutr ESPEN · PMID 29908682

Stable Angina

Anxiety Symptoms: improves
Depression Symptoms: improves
Stress Signs and Symptoms: improves

Stable Angina: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms Large Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Large effect	2 studies	80 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteersEur J Med Res · PMID 15546807 The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysisPhytother Res · PMID 34449930
	Depression Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	80 people
Studies that measured depression symptoms The effects of Melissa officinalis supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with chronic stable anginaClin Nutr ESPEN · PMID 29908682
	Stress Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	80 people
Studies that measured stress signs and symptoms Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)Psychosom Med · PMID 15272110
	Sleep Disturbance Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			80 people
	Sleep Duration	Improves (the measure goes up)			80 people
	Sleep Efficiency	Improves (the measure goes up)			80 people
	Sleep Latency	Improves (the measure goes down)			80 people
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)			80 people

Metabolic Health

DNA Damage: improves
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: improves

Metabolic Health: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	DNA Damage Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	1 study	55 people
Studies that measured dna damage Effects of Melissa officinalis L. on oxidative status and DNA damage in subjects exposed to long-term low-dose ionizing radiationToxicol Ind Health · PMID 20858648
	Oxidative Stress Biomarkers	Improves (the measure goes down)			55 people

Anxiety Disorders Other

Aggression: improves
Anxiety Symptoms: improves
Insomnia Signs and Symptoms: improves

Anxiety Disorders Other: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Aggression Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		20 people
	Anxiety Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	20 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteersEur J Med Res · PMID 15546807 The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysisPhytother Res · PMID 34449930
	Insomnia Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	20 people
Studies that measured insomnia signs and symptoms Effects of Melissa officinalis Phytosome on Sleep Quality: Results of a Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, and Cross-Over Study.Nutrients · PMID 39683592
	Fatigue Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			20 people

Anxiety Disorders (Other)

Aggression: improves
Anxiety Symptoms: changes; see studies
Insomnia Signs and Symptoms: changes; see studies

Anxiety Disorders (Other): outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Aggression Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		20 people
	Anxiety Symptoms	Changes; see studies		2 studies	20 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteersEur J Med Res · PMID 15546807 The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysisPhytother Res · PMID 34449930
	Insomnia Signs and Symptoms	Changes; see studies		1 study	20 people
Studies that measured insomnia signs and symptoms Effects of Melissa officinalis Phytosome on Sleep Quality: Results of a Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, and Cross-Over Study.Nutrients · PMID 39683592
	Fatigue Symptoms	Changes; see studies			20 people

Chemotherapy Side Effects

Pain
Quality of Life: improves

Chemotherapy Side Effects: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Pain No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	72 people
Studies that measured pain Effect of Melissa officinalis on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Trial.Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res · PMID 38868804
	Quality of Life	Improves (the measure goes up)			72 people

General Cardiovascular Health

Blood glucose
Total cholesterol: improves
Blood Pressure: improves

General Cardiovascular Health: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose No effect		NoneNo effect		251 people
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	302 people
Studies that measured total cholesterol Effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) consumption on serum lipid profile: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC Complement Med Ther · PMID 38575930 Effects of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) on cardio-metabolic outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Phytother Res · PMID 32614129
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)			251 people
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP)	Improves (the measure goes down)			251 people
	HbA1c	Improves (the measure goes down)			251 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			302 people
	Insulin	Changes; see studies			251 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Improves (the measure goes down)			302 people
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)			302 people

Cognitive Improvement

Anxiety Symptoms: improves
Memory: improves
Alertness: worsens

Cognitive Improvement: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	16 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteersEur J Med Res · PMID 15546807 The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysisPhytother Res · PMID 34449930
	Memory	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	50 people
Studies that measured memory Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding propertiesNeuropsychopharmacology · PMID 12888775 Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm)Pharmacol Biochem Behav · PMID 12062586
	Alertness Moderate Detriment	Worsens (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect		15 people
	Attention	Improves (the measure goes up)			20 people
	Processing Speed	Improves (the measure goes up)			20 people
	Subjective Well-Being	Improves (the measure goes up)			15 people
	Working Memory	Improves (the measure goes up)			35 people

Mental Resilience

Anxiety Symptoms: improves
Depression Symptoms: improves
Stress Signs and Symptoms: improves

Mental Resilience: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	435 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteersEur J Med Res · PMID 15546807 The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysisPhytother Res · PMID 34449930
	Depression Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	435 people
Studies that measured depression symptoms The effects of Melissa officinalis supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with chronic stable anginaClin Nutr ESPEN · PMID 29908682
	Stress Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	18 people
Studies that measured stress signs and symptoms Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)Psychosom Med · PMID 15272110
	Alertness Moderate Detriment	Worsens (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect		18 people

Mood Improvement

Memory: improves
Alertness: worsens
Attention: improves

Mood Improvement: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Memory	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	50 people
Studies that measured memory Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding propertiesNeuropsychopharmacology · PMID 12888775 Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm)Pharmacol Biochem Behav · PMID 12062586
	Alertness Moderate Detriment	Worsens (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect		15 people
	Attention	Improves (the measure goes up)			20 people
	Processing Speed	Improves (the measure goes up)			20 people
	Subjective Well-Being	Improves (the measure goes up)			15 people
	Working Memory	Improves (the measure goes up)			35 people

Focus & Attention

Anxiety Symptoms: improves

Focus & Attention: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Anxiety Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	16 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteersEur J Med Res · PMID 15546807 The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysisPhytother Res · PMID 34449930

Insomnia

Insomnia Signs and Symptoms: improves

Insomnia: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Insomnia Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	30 people

Primary Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps)

Cramps: improves

Primary Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps): outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Cramps	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	110 people

Sleep Health

Insomnia Signs and Symptoms: improves

Sleep Health: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Insomnia Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	30 people

Cold Sores

Cold Sore Symptom Severity: improves

Cold Sores: outcomes studied for Lemon Balm
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Cold Sore Symptom Severity	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	66 people

What the published studies found

2 automated readings

Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), for outcomes Dr. Grey has not graded yet. It is not a Dr. Grey grade and does not change one. How it is read

Sleep quality
The best available review (2024) found an improvement in sleep quality. That review studied people with psychological well-being concerns. 2 of the 3 studies read agree; 1 found no clear difference. The evidence is limited.
3 studies counted of 11 read: 1 review and 2 trials (44 people in the trials).
1. Systematic review, 2024; people with psychological well-being concerns: improves (the review the verdict rests on). can elicit cognitive and sleep-quality enhancement Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) in Psychological Well-Being: A ReviewPubMed 39458539
2. Crossover trial, 2024: improves. significant reduction in the ISI score in the treated group Effects of Melissa officinalis Phytosome on Sleep Quality: Results of a Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, and Cross-Over StudyPubMed 39683592
3. Randomised trial, 2023; 44 people; type 2 diabetes patients with depression: no clear difference. no significant differences were observed in The effects of melissa officinalis on depression and anxiety in type 2 diabetes patients with depression: a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trialPubMed 37131158
Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), run 30 Sep 2026. It reads abstracts, can miss studies, and a repeat run can differ.
Stress
The studies disagree on whether Lemon Balm changes stress. Of the 4 studies read, 2 found no clear difference and 2 found an improvement. The evidence is very weak.
4 studies counted of 11 read: 4 trials (364 people in the trials).
1. Randomised trial, 2026; 106 people; healthy young adults with moderate subjective stress: no clear difference. no changes in overall calmness emerged The acute effects of Zensera™ (Melissa officinalis L.) extract on mood and cognitive performance during cognitive overload: a randomised placebo-controlled, double-blind study in healthy young adults with moderate subjective stressPubMed 41782777
2. Randomised trial, 2025; 86 people; infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization: improves. statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups The effect of inhalation aromatherapy with lemon balm essential oil on perceived stress in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization: An RCTPubMed 40959130
3. Randomised trial, 2023; 100 people; healthy adults with moderate depression, anxiety, or stress: improves. significant improvements in the depressive mood, anxiety, stress The possible "calming effect" of subchronic supplementation of a standardised phospholipid carrier-based Melissa officinalis L. extract in healthy adults with emotional distress and poor sleep conditions: results from a prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trialPubMed 37927585
4. Randomised trial, 2021; 72 people; acute coronary syndrome patients in emergency department: no clear difference. no significant differences between the mean changes in stress Effect of aromatherapy with Melissa essential oil on stress and hemodynamic parameters in acute coronary syndrome patients: A clinical trial in the emergency departmentPubMed 34247027
Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), run 30 Sep 2026. It reads abstracts, can miss studies, and a repeat run can differ.

Key findings

PMS SymptomsPremenstrual Syndrome (PMS)Improves (the measure goes down)
Anxiety SymptomsStressImproves (the measure goes down)
Depression SymptomsPremenstrual Syndrome (PMS)Improves (the measure goes down)

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Grade A

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Studies cited

16 studies from PubMed

Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding propertiesNeuropsychopharmacology · PMID 12888775
Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm)Pharmacol Biochem Behav · PMID 12062586
Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteersEur J Med Res · PMID 15546807
Effects of Melissa officinalis L. on oxidative status and DNA damage in subjects exposed to long-term low-dose ionizing radiationToxicol Ind Health · PMID 20858648
The Effect of Melissa Officinalis Extract on the Severity of Primary DysmenorrhaIran J Pharm Res · PMID 29844788
Pilot trial of Melissa officinalis L. leaf extract in the treatment of volunteers suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbancesMed J Nutrition Metab · PMID 22207903
Effect of Melissa officinalis capsule on the mental health of female adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: a clinical trial studyInt J Adolesc Med Health · PMID 29369810
Effect of Melissa officinalis Capsule on the Intensity of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in High School Girl Students.Nurs Midwifery Stud · PMID 26339667
Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)Psychosom Med · PMID 15272110
The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysisPhytother Res · PMID 34449930
Effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) consumption on serum lipid profile: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC Complement Med Ther · PMID 38575930
Effects of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) on cardio-metabolic outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Phytother Res · PMID 32614129
Effect of Melissa officinalis on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Trial.Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res · PMID 38868804
The effects of Melissa officinalis supplementation on depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorder in patients with chronic stable anginaClin Nutr ESPEN · PMID 29908682
Balm mint extract (Lo-701) for topical treatment of recurring herpes labialis.Phytomedicine · PMID 10589440
Effects of Melissa officinalis Phytosome on Sleep Quality: Results of a Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, and Cross-Over Study.Nutrients · PMID 39683592